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Friday, August 8, 2014

5 Players That Helped Their Chances Versus The Patriots

With Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson not playing against the Patriots Aldrick Robinson had a chance to shine
and I believe he took full advantage.
Via roanoke.com

Hail Redskins Nation!!!! The preseason is finally upon us. After three days of joint practices with the New England Patriots they finally got to put the pads on for real. Well as real as a preseason game can be.... but that's neither here nor there. Now I hope #RedskinsNation doesn't get too excited about the final score and start talking Super Bowl but there are reasons to rejoice. The team played well, executed for the most part, played aggressively, and didn't look lost or out of place for the most part. There is plenty of competition for a few spots on this roster. Some players helped their case and some hurt them. Good thing is it's only the first preseason game. There's still have more time to correct their mistakes or add to the impressive performance.With this being the first game and there not being any major mistakes I'm going to focus on the players that helped themselves. Here's my five players that helped themselves in the first game.

Players That Helped Their Case:

Via hamptonroads.com

Robert Griffin III: I know there is no chance of RGIII not making the roster or being the starting quarterback but he did have a lot to prove after his 2013 season. His playtime was limited to just one series an four passes but in that series he showed plenty. Hitting his checkdowns quickly and correctly was the best sign to me. He made his reads didn't stick on a receiver and delivered the ball to the right place at the right time. Can't wait to see more from him going forward.

Via espn.go.com

Bacarri Rambo: We all remember the debacle that was Rambo's rookie season. Miss tackles, bad angles in pursuit and lackluster performance on special teams caused him to be inactive most of last season. With Ryan Clark sidelined with a sore hamstring Bacarri would get the start. He made some good plays and some not so good but the difference this year was the good outweighed the bad. Bacarri made a couple of tackles by squaring up not going for the big hit and wrapping up. The improvement is there but this is just the first game and he still has more improving to do. It would be nice to see him take the next step and continue improving. With other safeties on the roster like Trenton Robinson and Akeem Davis he has little room for mistakes this training camp.

Via redskins.com

Keenan Robinson: After London Fletcher retired at the end of the 2013 season we all wondered who would fill the void on the playing field including the front office. The first few moves of the free agency period were to add depth to the ILB position and the special teams. By signing Darryl Sharpton, Akeem Jordan, and Adam Heyward it showed the team wasn't sure about the 2011 draft pick Robinson after his two seasons ending up on injured reserve. Keenan did notice that and made it a point of emphasis to show this team and front office that it wasn't a mistake drafting him. He's impressed in training camp knowing the calls, knowing where to be and play recognition but the question was how will it translate to the field. Watching his limited time in the game last night it shows that he was studying hard and learning the playbook those two years on IR. He was in the right place at the right times, made the right calls and fits on run plays and played decent in coverage when he had to. He has taken a step in the right direction showing the team he can handle the position and new responsibilities. (John Kiem did a great write up on his play you can click the link to read his breakdown.)

Via timesdispatch.com

Aldrick Robinson: With the team adding play makers DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts through free agency Aldrick Robinson felt the pressure of making the team in 2014. The first preseason game gave Robinson a chance to prove that he deserves to be on this team this year with Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson being sidelined. With three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown I believe he showed why he should be on this team. Aldrick has always had speed but not the consistency to make the tough catch or the big time play when needed. He showed his ability to get open, get separation of the line (which has been one of his issues) and the ability to run more then just deep routes. He caught one touchdown on a slant play where Kirk Cousins had the confidence on him to get open. Also had a chance to catch another from RGIII but he wasn't able to get both feet in bounds before his arm landed out of bounds. With his speed if he can take the next step in his career to become more consistent he can be another speed weapon on this offense that all of a sudden is deep with game changing speed.

Via washingtonpost.com

Zach Hocker: The seventh round pick has been in a battle with incumbent Kai Forbath and from all accounts it's pretty much even and will go down to the last week of preseason. Last night I believe that Hocker took a step ahead of Forbath. he went 2-2 in field goals and 1 of 3 of his kickoffs were touchbacks even though one was eight yards deep but the returner brought it out of the end zone. He also made a good form tackle on a kickoff return that was called back via penalty but I think that helped his case also. Him being a former high school safety probably helped him in that regard. That's another intanglible that could helphis case. Ther's talk of maybe keeping two kickers but with all the position battles and deep competition I don't think that will be possible. If Hocker keeps it up he may cause Forbath to be looking for another job at the end of the month.

thx . i was gonna list a running back but they all looked good so figured id wait until next game and see who improves and or declines. gonna be a tough battle. RGIII showed in that limited time the stuff hes been working on in his first true offseason

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